Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to speak to the motion and, particularly, our amendment. I thank Senator Norris for tabling the motion and his openness in accepting the Government amendment, although he said it was not sufficiently embracing, in the spirit in which it was brought forward – a genuine spirit of co-operation and wishing to bring the matter further. I know Senator Minihan will not regard me as saucy or confrontational, but we all share the ideas of family which he espoused so defiantly and strongly. It is not a matter of saying one is for the family and raising the flag. That is not the point of this debate, but I accept the Senator's strong feelings. I have strong feelings about my family also, as I am sure every Member has. I remember reading something Senator Norris wrote about his dear aunt who was elderly—